1
a(1)
: a straight slender stick growing on or cut from a tree or bush
(2)
: osier
(3)
: a stick or bundle of twigs used to punish
also
: punishment
(4)
: a shepherd's cudgel
(5)
: a pole with a line and usually a reel attached for fishing
b(1)
: a slender bar (as of wood or metal)
(2)
: a bar or staff for measuring
(3)
: scepter
also
: a wand or staff carried as a badge of office (as of marshal)
2
a
: a unit of length see Weights and Measures Table
b
: a square rod
3
: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive receptors in the retina responsive to faint light compare cone sense 3a
4
: a rod-shaped bacterium
5
slang
: handgun
Examples of rod in a Sentence
arrested for using a rod on his dogs in violation of the state's animal cruelty laws
Recent Examples on the Web
The fish kept going and the rod Jerked and quivered, but Dorsey held on.
—
Arthur Grahame, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2025
Practically speaking, less hair = fewer rods and less wrapping.
—Sable Yong, Vogue, 28 May 2025
Jones worked the big brown back to his boat, set his fishing rod down, and used both hands to haul it aboard.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission educators will provide cane poles, rods and reels, bait and tackle and offer fishing tips.
—Flip Putthoff, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
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Arthur Grahame, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2025
Practically speaking, less hair = fewer rods and less wrapping.
—Sable Yong, Vogue, 28 May 2025
Jones worked the big brown back to his boat, set his fishing rod down, and used both hands to haul it aboard.
—Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 22 May 2025
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission educators will provide cane poles, rods and reels, bait and tackle and offer fishing tips.
—Flip Putthoff, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rod
Cite this Entry
“Rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rod. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rod
noun1
a
: a straight slender stick or bar
b
: a stick or bundle of twigs used in whipping a person
c
: a pole with a line and usually a reel attached for fishing
2
a
: a unit of length see measure
b
: a square rod
3
: any of the cells in the retina that are shaped like rods and respond to dim light
4
slang
: handgun
Medical Definition
rod
noun1
: a straight slender pole or bar
2
: any of the long rod-shaped photosensitive receptors in the retina responsive to faint light compare cone sense 2a
3
: a bacterium shaped like a rod
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